Eating and shopping at Hinton Ampner

Christmas cards hang on a wall and stand on a mantlepiece — Our Christmas collection for 2024 has introduced more recycled materials | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

A wide range of homewares and locally made crafts are available in the shop, ideal for picking up a gift for someone special or a treat for yourself.

Looking for something different from the regular high street shops? Visit the shop for a range of unique gifts. You will discover a variety of presents and treats, as well as items for the home and garden. There is always a great mix of local products as well as National Trust favourites.

Christmas gifting

Step into our shop to discover our beautiful Christmas range. Our shelves are filled with gifts and Christmas day essentials. Well-loved classics returning this year include our traditional Christmas pudding, marzipan fruits and festive jams & chutneys. If you’re hosting a Christmas gathering our range also includes savoury cheese nibbles and luxury mince pies, all made in the UK. We’ve also got lots of drinks options to accompany these delights including local River Test Distillery Gin, scented hop-filled beers from Bowman Ales and the Flower Pots Brewery, plus gift packs of assorted ciders from Mr Whitehead.

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift we have a wide range of items to suit. Our fashion & accessories section hosts pieces inspired by nature and the beauty around us. Those winter evenings often call for a cosy blanket to wrap up in and a good book to while away the winter evenings. Our blankets make the perfect wintry gift and come in a range of colours and designs.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some beautiful decorations – our Namaste decorations range features ornate floral patterns in wintry shades. Items are made by skilled artisans in northern India with designs inspired by National Trust properties making them exclusive to our charity. Don’t forget your Christmas trim - we stock a wide range of beautiful Christmas cards and gift wrap

Loving local

We are committed to supporting local businesses and stock a range of locally made bath and beauty products as well as delicious jams, honeys, preserves and a range of craft beers and ciders all made within Hampshire and West Sussex.

Why not try a soap from Cyril's Soap Shed, an award winning handmade natural goats’ milk soap made using the raw milk from a small herd of happy goats, who live on a New Forest smallholding?

Second-hand bookshop at Hinton Ampner

Pick up your next page turner in the second-hand bookshop. From children's books to cookery and fiction to crime - there really is something for everyone! All books have been kindly donated by you, and every purchase supports the work we do to care for Hinton Ampner.

Packs of Christmas cards from AW 2024, with images of a robin, rabbits and deer — Packs of National Trust Christmas cards, with images of a robin, rabbits and deer | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Eating in the café

Our café is the perfect place to relax and satisfy your taste buds during your visit. Housed in one of the oldest buildings on the Hinton estate, the café was formerly the stable block, as well as the village Social Club, making it a historic hub of activity that's no different today.

There are indoor and outdoor seating areas in the café, and you'll also find plenty of picnic places to spread a blanket on our lawns. Dogs are welcome under the Jumbrella seating areas which is heated. During our Christmas period we will have additional covered seating within a furnished and heated marquee situated directly next to the café.

What’s on the menu?

Our café is the perfect stop for a tasty brunch, comforting lunch and don’t forget your afternoon tea. Our soups and one pots are homemade and change regularly, such as out chilli bean one pot – served with a wedge of crusty bread they make the perfect winter warmer. Festive treats are also on offer with jumbo pigs in blankets in a bun and the unmissable mince pies. Don't forget our selection of scones, ready for their tasty toppings. We have classic fruit scones and cheese scones, both available as sweet and savoury cream teas.

Our brunch menu includes bacon baps and freshly baked pastries like cinnamon swirls, vanilla crowns and an apricot danish to complete your morning coffee break.

Lighter lunches are available and we serve hot food from 12 noon-2.30pm. There’s a range of gluten and dairy-free food available, and soya or oat milk for hot drinks. If you bring your own re-usable cup, you can take advantage of a 25p discount on your hot beverage and why not bring a water bottle to fill up for your walk.

Children's choices

For younger diners, grab a fun kids' pick and mix lunch box, full of tasty and balanced treats. Youngsters can make up their own packed lunch, choosing what they want from the range of sandwiches, drinks, fruit and snacks. Child-sized hot meals are also available every day.

Mince pies and hot drinks — Tuck into a warming bowl of hearty soup this autumn | © William Shaw

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free.

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.